Spillway gates are still closed for inspection and repair, which may mess up reservoir fishing for a few days while there is no current. Best luck for crappie has been pulling crankbaits or slow trolling jigs and/or minnows 18 - 20+ ft deep in 20 - 25 ft of water off main lake points and major creek mouths. Recently, minnows have been producing better than cranks. Some catfish, drum, or White Bass may be taken crappie fishing. Expect a lot of short crappie; to return them alive and in good shape, PLEASE replace treble hooks with singles, especially the rear hook on crankbaits, and/or pinch the barbs down to make unhooking easier. Losing a few fish is better than killing a lot. Trotlines or noodles (jugs) will work for catfish, as well as drifting baits over main lake flats with rod-and-reel. Head for the river and creeks and fish worms or stinkbaits if there is any rainfall runoff. White Bass are in the main lake schooling on shad off sandy main lake points very early and late in the day; fish jigs, tailspinner lures, or small crankbaits. There are no size or number limits on White Bass. There are no Striped or Hybrid Striped Bass in Enid; just White Bass. Largemouth Bass are on summer patterns off main lake points, humps, and other deep structure that is better with any cover (brush tops, stake beds, etc.). Fish topwaters or spinnerbaits shallow early and late and switch to crankbaits or soft plastics deep midday.

The spillway had both gates closed 0.0 ft (0 cfs) Tuesday AM for spillway gate and tunnel inspection and repair. Expect a dry hole down here until the gates are reopened after inspection. After that, fish for catfish with natural baits near the bottom. The old spillway fishing pier has been replaced with a new one in the same spot.

All fish captured and kept with dip or landing nets, cast nets, boat mounted scoops, wire baskets, minnow seines, and minnow traps in the spillway areas bordered by rip rap must be immediately placed on ice or in a dry container. Game fish caught with these gears must be released. This regulation was enacted to reduce the potential of spreading harmful Asian carps to the reservoir or other waters.

The daily creel limit for crappie is 15 per person. Crappie must be over 12 inches. Anglers may use no more than 4 poles per person and no more than 2 hooks or lures per pole. There is a 40 crappie per boat limit for boats with 3 or more anglers. The 12 inch length limit does not apply to the reservoir spillway, but the spillway has a 15 crappie creel limit.

Contact the COE office (662) 563-4571 for accessible ramps at current water levels.

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks Fisheries Biologists use various sampling methods to assess the fish populations in the State’s waters. Sampling results for selected water bodies are summarized in Reel Facts Sheets.

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